Where is your sting, death?

Posted on April 14, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

I receive emails from people every week who are struggling with questions about God and loved ones who are dying. During my experiences with losses I did not want to hear cliches or be told that I should just “have faith” and “trust God”. I KNEW THAT! I wanted to know that God really saw my grief and felt my pain and confusion.

So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

If there is a natural body , there is also a spiritual body…

I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed – in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 50-57 (NIV)

Just as my spirit cannot continue to move closer to God if I choose to live in sin – so my natural body cannot be immortal. I cannot dwell in a spiritual place for eternity while in a natural/mortal body.

OK – so God set up these laws of nature – but even though I accept those laws that doesn’t lessen how I loved that person and want to the here with me!

God gave me permission to grieve. He validated that it was part of my healing. I was blessed that those that I loved, and now miss so much because they have died, knew Jesus as Savior and Lord. I knew by their testimony – both in word and works. What if I’m not sure? If someone I knew and loved died and did not know Jesus as Savior – yes, that would be the greatest tragedy. But, please hear me on this – in my experience as a hospice nurse and in hospitals – we do not know when a person ceases to receive communication and God is certainly not limited by a coma or disease. And God wants all His children to come into the Kingdom with Him.

There will come a day when I will put off this perishable shell called my body and I will be given an eternal body that will be great! I will be reunited with those who have gone before me!

“For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17 (NIV)

Posted in 1 Corinthians, Revelation | Comments Off on Where is your sting, death?

Holy Week Continues…

Posted on April 13, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”

Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. Mark 16:1-8 (NIV)

Today is known by some as Easter Monday. Many of us went to church yesterday and celebrated THE most wonderful event of the Church year: our Savior’s triumph over sin and death. Many of us also celebrated the day with a feast of good food and time with family. It is good. Now what?

The women in this Scripture had a “mission”, a “job” to do. They were going to anoint the body of a man who had been Teacher, friend, Life-Changer. They were grief-stricken but they were going to do the job. They got up early – maybe they slept fitfully and decided to go and “get it done”. Maybe they went early to avoid being seen; frightened that known associates might be crucified next! They were women on a mission but they were also consumed with the identifiable obstacle that might keep them from accomplishing the mission – a large boulder. The Scripture seems to imply that they got to the tomb before they realized the stone was not in their way. They did not look up from a distance and see that there was no obstacle; they just kept going on and worrying. Hmmm.

Now these women see that the tomb is open and yet they still go in. Nothing to harm them as there is only a dead body in there, right? The presence of a young man in a white robe creates their first “alarm”. They did not expect to find anyone in a tomb with whom to have a conversation!

The angel (because that is what he is) tells them not to “be alarmed” (yeah, right!) and quickly identifies that he knows who they were there to see…and it wasn’t him! He is clear that he knows they are there to find Jesus and it was the Jesus who was horrifically and definitely killed. The angel is clear the he did not move the body and it is not hidden in some other place. Jesus is not just gone – He is ALIVE!

The women do not just leave …they flee. They run. They are scared. My pastor said, “He scared the hell out of them!” And they said nothing! Why? Because they were afraid.

Before I met Jesus, I wanted to meet Him. I wanted to know He was real. Jesus already knew what I wanted and He went before me – to meet me. And once I met Jesus – He did scare the hell out of me! I no longer had that darkness inside of me. I was no longer shut up in a tomb. He rolled the stone away and showed me how to walk in freedom. The Good News of Jesus was for Peter (the deny-er) and all the disciples (those sinners) and me (the sinner).

The question on this Easter Monday is: will I be like those women and tell no one? Will I worry about ‘boulders and obstacles’? Or will I complete the mission that I have been given to “GO” and tell others that JESUS IS ALIVE??!!

Posted in Mark | Comments Off on Holy Week Continues…

Holy Week: Friday

Posted on April 10, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

When he [Jesus] had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not wan the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. John 19:30-34 (NIV)

I hope today that each of us will take time to be at the foot of the cross and look what Jesus has done for each one of us. If there is a situation in your life that is weighing you down – take it to the cross. It may be that you need to literally write it down and open your Bible to John 19 and lay that burden down. There is not a day that passes that I do not need to bow and repent and seek forgiveness for a thought or a word or an action. Here is the moment that Jesus shed His last ounce of blood … for my sin. There is no sin too great or too small that is not covered by the blood He gave on this day on Calvary.

Read Hebrews 9 and soak in the words of how mighty and perfect is the sacrifice Jesus gave. Without the spilling of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22)…Jesus spilled His blood…for me … for you. RECEIVE His forgiveness today and walk forward! Leave the weight of whatever your burden is behind. Start fresh and truly rejoice on this Easter!!!

What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Refrain

Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

– Robert Lowry (1876)

Today in this Holy Week, I am letting go of the sin and situations that tangle me up. I don’t deserve Jesus’ forgiveness – but He gives it any way! I cannot do anything to earn His forgiveness – but He gives it any way! I cannot promise to walk perfect from this day forward and so be ‘worthy’ of His love – but He loves me any way! So why not let go and walk forward in New Life!?! And come closer to Jesus; walk side by side and learn and listen and just be with Him forever! HALLELUJAH!

Posted in John | Comments Off on Holy Week: Friday

Holy Week: Thursday

Posted on April 9, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”

Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba,” Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:32-36 (NIV)

Have you ever been to Gethsemane? I don’t mean geographically, although I think it is probably the only place I would like to visit in that part of the world. For the rest I think I will just wait to see the New Jerusalem! Any way back to the question: have you ever been to Gethsemane? I remember vividly a night at the hospital when my son was doing chemotherapy. He was midway through the year of treatment. He had to go in every three weeks and essentially spend three days with an IV and vomiting. It was late one night and he was asleep. It had been a rough day. I remember just looking at him lying there in the bed. He weighed about 120 lbs. when he began the year and that night he weighed about 80+ pounds. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow…” I wept as he slept. It was overwhelming. It was this passage and the one in Luke 22 that I remembered that night.

Jesus felt the weight of His burden that night and with that weight was the enemy ready to add his whisper-y, lying voice. Did Jesus turn to His friends for help? Did He lean on them? No. He turned to the One who had the strength to take the burden from Him. He turned to the One who would already be there to listen and would not fall asleep!

Peter, James, and John were admonished to “keep watch”. For what? Maybe it was to learn. Maybe it was to pray with Jesus. Maybe it was to see the soldiers coming. For whatever reason it was to watch – they did not learn the lesson that night by watching! But God is faithful so I bet they learned another night – maybe in a prison.

Today in this Holy Week, I am remembering that Jesus walks before me down every path that I walk. I am on my knees today in thanksgiving for all that He has brought me through. Jesus is the One that I turn to when I find myself in Gethsemane. I hear Jesus’ cry, “Daddy, Father!” and I know that my Father will hear me as I call out to Him as Jesus did. And then I get to that step of faith and trust: “Not what I want – but what You want, Father.” Jesus shows me I can trust when I let go on my knees. Yes, when I feel the most weak, God-strength is mine.

There is a reason this is called Passion Week. It is about love. It is about passionate God-love.

Posted in Mark | Comments Off on Holy Week: Thursday

Holy Week: Wednesday

Posted on April 8, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of man is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gate of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:13-18 (NIV)

Ah, Peter, one of my favorite people in the Bible. In this passage, Jesus first calls him, Simon, reminding him that he is just a man. He is born from a man and yet spoke the right answer; those profound words, but not out of his own ability and wisdom. No, Simon spoke by the power of God. And it was because of the transforming power of God that Simon became Peter, the rock. On that rock Jesus’ Church would be built. Hell itself and all its schemes and demonic craftiness would not defeat it. I wonder if a day went by after Pentecost that these words did not echo in Peter’s mind, reminding him through all the persecution that Jesus’ Church would not just survive – but triumph!

I look at the Church today and I cling to Jesus’ promise that His Church will be victorious. I am saddened and frustrated that we lift up programs and hierarchy over Jesus’ example of serving and empowering to serve the weak and hurting.

Today in this Holy Week I am asking Jesus how I may serve Him by serving His children. What ‘unknown’ way can I be used today? Do I hear the word of encouragement He directs me to speak or write to someone? Will He ask me to fast my lunch and give it to that homeless man on the corner? Will I get alone and quiet to “just pray” for someone He calls to my mind? Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.

As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by men but chosen by God and precious in him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”    1 Peter 2:4-6 (NIV)

Posted in 1 Peter, Matthew | Comments Off on Holy Week: Wednesday

Holy Week: Tuesday

Posted on April 7, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”…

When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”…

But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” John 11:17-22, 32, 37 (NIV)

“Lord, if only you…” How often in my own life and as I read the world’s headlines have these words come to my mind!

I believe in God. He is the un-created One who created all. His power and authority cannot be compared and is absolute. In my human, finite mind it seems so logical that if you have the power to intervene in death and suffering – you would!

Mary and Martha both saw only one option to God showing His love in this, the death of their brother. God would prevent it from happening. Why didn’t He?

Jesus wept. He did not weep out of grief. He knew Lazarus was about to be set free from his temporary tomb. I believe Jesus wept because His heart was touched by the pain of those weeping. As a nurse, tears would come to my eyes because someone would have to endure a procedure or surgery in order to correct some illness or injury. As a hospice nurse, I would come to the home when one of our patients died. Many times I would drive home, praying with tears in my eyes that God would comfort as only He can. My heart was touched by someone’s pain.

God is not some distant, unfeeling deity who watches our pain and feels nothing. But He sees farther than today and even this life and restrains His immediate intervention in order to guide us to His eternal reward He has for us.

Today in this Holy Week, I am considering the “Lord, if only’s…” in my life and I am seeking to look with God’s Spirit to look toward His Kingdom plans and let go so I can walk His path. I am climbing over the boulders of my “if’s” and stepping on in faith toward tomorrow.

God is faith and faithful. He may give me a new answer. He may give me peace beyond my ability to understand. I know Jesus will be there when I weep and will hold me and comfort me as only He can.

“Take off the grave clothes and let her go, “ Jesus says. (v. 44)

Posted in John | Comments Off on Holy Week: Tuesday

Holy Week: Monday

Posted on April 6, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the LORD! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”

“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Luke 19:37-40 (NIV)

I don’t have the best singing voice (although I haven’t made my dog howl and cover his ears). When I worship the Lord in song, I am transported to that Jerusalem road and my hands go up and I praise my Lord!!! I do not want any rocks near my feet praising Him because I do not!

Today in this Holy Week, I am thanking my Lord for all He has done in my life. I am thanking my Lord for all He is doing in my life. I am thanking my Lord for all He will do in my life. The list is long and varied; coming with each breath that I take.

There are so many people that God has sent into my life that have blessed me and disciplined me. He used them to speak wisdom to me. Some even taught me by their “negative” ways – shining a light on some dark corner in my own closet life that needed cleaning. Most will never know how much their life was used by Jesus to mold or shape me on His potter’s wheel.

There is so much in His creation that floods me with awe and wonder. The expanse of it. The indescribable beauty of the simple and complex. I am surprised by a cloud formation. I feel the wind literally kiss my cheek and am reminded that His Spirit will blow where He wills. The sweet innocence in the face of my granddaughters and grandsons. The gentle expression on the face of my dog when I am missing his young master.

Praise happens in that quiet moment when His Spirit reminds me of His precious words. As God reminded Isaiah, before I can call – He will answer. As prayer requests have come to my mind, God has answered with His promises. His sweet words. His words that are life and healing.

Praise You, Jesus. Praise You all through this day no matter what it brings. Praise You. You are worthy.

Posted in Luke | Comments Off on Holy Week: Monday

Day 5: Prayer: What I Have Learned

Posted on April 3, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:27-30 (NIV)

1) For the most part God works from the top down. By that I mean, He does not seem to miraculously intervene in situations. And yet most times in the prayer – on my knees – the miracle of faith happens. The strength to endure, the faith to go on even when I can not see, the grace to extend my hand when I can not do it alone, and the joy to live each day in a fallen world – all are miracles from God.

2) Like a parent watching as their child chooses destructive paths, so God watches with compassion and love as the world chooses to inflict pain and suffering.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” Luke 13:34 (NIV, my emphasis)

3) Jesus knew the cost of divine restraint – the personal cost of letting the world have its way. Redemption comes with pain not avoiding it. Jesus knew about Sunday morning but it seemed very remote on Friday afternoon!

Peter was sifted and appeared to be a cowering, denier of Christ. But in 1 Peter we see the redeemed encourager who testifies to the power from Jesus Christ that is available in the midst of trials.

4) Prayer is important. Jesus did it. He did it, I think, to show me how to do it! Whether it is in grief, joy, trials, suffering and pain, Jesus shows me that prayer is where I will find, if not answers, I will find peace and encouragement and wisdom. Paul, learned theologian, also encouraged prayer and crying out to God. He, too, found that God will not always stop the trials but God will always be there and never leave. Prayer. Jesus is still doing it…for me.

Therefore he [Jesus] is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25 (NIV)

If I take time to eat every day, sleep every day, exercise my brain and my muscles, how much more important it is to take time for my spiritual health. Let us take time today…to pray.

Posted in Hebrews, John, Luke | Comments Off on Day 5: Prayer: What I Have Learned

Day 4: Prayer: Un-prayed Prayers

Posted on April 2, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

After my son died, I wrote a book on grief for Christians. The story from the gospels that has stood out in my heart was not Jesus weeping at Lazarus’ tomb but His need to grieve privately when He learns of the death of His cousin, John the Baptist.

John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

When Jesus heart what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.

Matthew 14:12-13 (NIV)

Jesus did not pray that John be released and delivered from his execution. Did that obedience to God’s plan make the human sting of grief more difficult or release peace from God’s Spirit?

Jesus reminded the sword-toting Peter that He could call forth legions of angels to handle the Roman guard who came to arrest Him in Gethsemane (Matthew 26) if that was the plan! It is hard for we humans to understand not using power when we have it! Jesus’ next few hours could have been more ‘George Lucas Jedi’ conception rather than Mel Gibson’s solitary way of suffering.

Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane, while not concretely answering our struggle as to why God does or does not act, it does show that:

  • He knows that the Father can do anything and there could be an alternate plan.
  • He asks that the Father – straight out – to take the cup away; “give me the other option”.
  • Jesus wants to be rescued from the enemy – but more than that – He wants the world to have a freedom option. “If giving up one means giving up the other – Your will, Father.”

And so Jesus’ fate was sealed – by His own choice. Jesus did not sweat blood when He was before Pilate or on the cross. The battle was won…on His knees in the Garden.

I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.

When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;

at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted.

I remembered you, O God, and I groaned; I mused, and my spirit grew faint.

You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.

I thought about the former days, the years of long ago;

I remembered my songs in the night.

My heart mused and my spirit inquired…

I will remember the deeds of the LORD;

yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. Psalm 77:1-6, 11-12 (NIV)

Posted in Matthew, Psalms | Comments Off on Day 4: Prayer: Un-prayed Prayers

Day 3: Prayer: The Limits of Prayer

Posted on April 1, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

“My prayer is not for them[disciples] alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”   John 17: 20-23 (NIV, my clarification)

To date, that prayer has remained unanswered. We, the Church, are not in unity. (sigh)

One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles… Luke 6:12-13 (NIV)

Could those twelve guys have been the answer to Jesus’ prayer? Judas Iscariot the traitor, Big Mouth Peter, and “give me, give” James and John are not the standard for any CEO position in a successful enterprise! “How long do I have to put up with you?” is not the phrase you want to read on your annual evaluation!

Prayer will not remove the unpredictable unknowns of life. The existence of grace tells me that there are elements that will require God to cover inadequate faith and petty concerns. In the end all twelve failed Jesus in His hour of need. That very failure and God’s subsequent grace and mercy brought transformation that led to the twelve seeds that are still producing fruit 2000 years later! A loving apostle and the leader of the Jerusalem church came from the Son of Thunder duo. Peter, who could not imagine the Messiah suffering, went on to write about and suffer a death just as Jesus did. Though Judas seems to have fulfilled his destiny and missed the opportunity for transformation, salvation came through the cross that was meant for only destruction. Prayer often mysteriously incorporates the unpredictable and unknown factors of God’s love, His grace.

When trouble comes, I want God to act swiftly and decisively. Sometimes God’s restrain in answering shows His respect for my freedom of choice.

Remember at the Last Supper as recorded in Luke 22, Jesus said that satan had ask to “sift you, Simon, like wheat”. Jesus was not going to stop satan but told Peter He was praying for him and his faith would not fail. Peter was having his ‘Job experience’. I have had a ‘Job experience’ and, frankly, I would have like it better if Jesus had intervened and I had skipped satan’s sifting!!! Whether the sifting is more like Peter or Judas or Jody, spiritual warfare is the moment when satan pursues but cannot conquer without my cooperation. A test of faith may seem to end in failure bu t with Jesus as my Savior there is always redemption to be received. Judas realized his error and chose his own way out. Peter and I saw our sin, repented, received our free gift of redemption, and were/are able to be used in the Kingdom another day.

Posted in John, Luke | Comments Off on Day 3: Prayer: The Limits of Prayer